Public Trust Launches Wills Month In September

MEDIA RELEASE
31 August 2009

Public Trust Launches Wills Month In September

Campaign to help all New Zealanders make or update their Will

A national ‘Wills Month’ in September, launched by Public Trust, encourages all New Zealanders to write or review their Will this month.

The initiative follows a recent online survey of almost 1,000 New Zealanders on Wills’ trends, commissioned by Public Trust. The survey revealed that 47% of respondents had no Will. Just over a quarter (28%) of those without a Will intended to make one within 12 months.

“Applying the results to the adult population means that there are over a million New Zealanders aged over 18 without a Will,” says Alex Polaschek, Public Trust’s General Manager, Sales and Service.

“One of the most common reasons people don’t get a Will is that they are busy with day to day priorities rather than planning for the future. Wills Month is about encouraging New Zealanders to do it this month – it’s peace of mind for you and everyone you care about,” adds Mr Polaschek.

“Your Will is an important document throughout life as it sets out your wishes for the people and things that matter to you.”

Public Trust’s advice is not only for everyone to have a Will, but also that it’s just as important to keep it up to date.

“For example, we’ve seen a trend in recent years of relationships and family situations becoming more complex,” says Mr Polaschek; “As families and relationships change, it’s really important to keep your Will up to date – especially when it comes to naming guardians for children under 18.”

“Public Trust writes more Wills than anyone in New Zealand,” adds Mr Polaschek; “So when it comes to getting advice on your situation and getting expert advice to help achieve what you want, our specialists can assist.”

Public Trust provides Wills free of charge if you appoint them to manage your estate.

For more information about getting your will done in Wills Month, call Public Trust on 0800 371 471 or visit www.publictrust.co.nz/willsmonth

ENDS

Notes to Editors
• Research findings included top five reasons for updating a Will:
- Having children
- Change in relationship status
- Recommended by a friend or family
- Purchasing property or other significant asset
- Financial situation changed
• Those intending to make a Will tend to be over 25, work full time, have children aged 15 or younger
• Margin of error n=982. Margin of error +/- 3.1%
• Margin of error for those who don’t have a Will and asked whether they intend to n=457. Margin of error +/- 4.6%

• Public Trust is over 135 years old, and New Zealand’s largest and most enduring trustee organisation.
• Public Trust writes more Wills than anyone else in New Zealand – around 25,000 a year
• Public Trust are experts in legal and estate planning when it comes to writing Wills
• As well as Wills, Public Trust’s services include:
- Enduring powers of attorney
- Estate administration
- Life insurance
- Family trusts
- Pre-paid funeral trusts
- Education and inheritance trusts
- Home loans
- Charitable trusts
- Helping to manage financial affairs.

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